I have just got back from Coventry and a stupid HGV driver nearly hit me as he was overtaking, then I would have hit him if I didn't do an emergency stop when he pulled back into my lane. There was no need for him to get anywhere near me when overtaking or come into my lane as soon as he did. The only reason he had for doing it, is he is one of the very few bad HGV drivers.
Ok there's good and bad HGV drivers but please don't assume them all to be bad! My OH and brother are very good lorry drivers. My brother drives the big petrol tankers so where would you be without drivers like him?
A lot of HGVs have 'driven well?' signs on the back of them. If you feel that strongly about how the vehicles are being driven why not get a passenger to ring the number -unless you have hands free on your mobile!
I think most are courteous and thank me by indicators when I flash them ok to pull in. Likewise I thank them when they flash me to pull in. Yes there are the odd baddy who comes a little close but I have also seen that many times by car drivers who cut you up, more times by car drivers than HGV`s
Quote: Originally posted by weerab on 17/5/2006
Just a thought.......How about HGV drivers taking an annual advanced driving or a defensive driving course and all caravanners taking an annual towing course!......Over to you!
The DSA are already preparing for an EU Directive which will mean that all cat C(HGV) and cat D (PCV) drivers will have to complete 35 hours retraining every five years.
i too am a HGV driver as well as being a caravnner, where i could jump in say all sorts of stuff about reps in there vectras etc i wont. fact is, it has been pointed out in this thread several times so far, there will be good and bad in "drivers", its a human trate, to be impatiant, in a hurry etc. it will always be a topic of discusstion about who is the "best" driver etc. fact is, if life was not as hectic as it is these days everything would be far happier on the roads.
Quote: Originally posted by country boy on 22/5/2006
i too am a HGV driver as well as being a caravnner, where i could jump in say all sorts of stuff about reps in there vectras etc i wont. fact is, it has been pointed out in this thread several times so far, there will be good and bad in "drivers", its a human trate, to be impatiant, in a hurry etc. it will always be a topic of discusstion about who is the "best" driver etc. fact is, if life was not as hectic as it is these days everything would be far happier on the roads.
Richard :)
I couldn't agree more, as a hgv driver myself I see good and bad in all sorts of vehicles including some caravanners who just hitch up for the first time and out they go on the open road with no training whatsoever.
We have a new to us caravan and used it for the first time at Easter. Must admit it felt strange when the HGV was overtaking me as i am used to going past them at 80 mph oops 70 that was officer lol. Must admit i found most very helpful.......
Quote: Originally posted by taz_lady_taz on 22/5/2006
Quote: Originally posted by weerab on 17/5/2006
Just a thought.......How about HGV drivers taking an annual advanced driving or a defensive driving course and all caravanners taking an annual towing course!......Over to you!
The DSA are already preparing for an EU Directive which will mean that all cat C(HGV) and cat D (PCV) drivers will have to complete 35 hours retraining every five years.
I,m tested every 6 months in our firm by an outside source. Its not just an assesment either but a full on driving test doing ALL the exersises inc gearchanging , reverseing , cuopling , etc. As long as the firms pay for all this its a good idea. It should bring your own car ins down aswell. The 6 monthly training day also includes a Q&A on our ADRs, first aid & incident procedure.
About speeding wagons. I bet you they are either Irish , German , or Italian. Belive it or not the 56mph (85kph) limit was mostly bought in for enviromental reasons & not saftey. 99% of us are good but its the bad1% who get noticed. Just a bit of advice to finish with.... Always pass a lefthooker with extreme caution , he wont always see you.
THUMPER.
------------- The British soldier must be driven to digging in the moment he occupies a piece of ground,lest he waste time in sightseeing,souvenir hunting & drinking tea.....
Maj Gen F.W. Festing (GOC 36 Inf Div )
Felt I had to say somthing on this topic as both a caravanner and a class 1 driver. As previously stated in both worlds there is both good and bad drivers, youll never get away from that but 99.9% of all drivers are corteous and carefull and will go out of there way to make sure all vehicles they pass or pass them safely. Nobody wants an accident on their conscience least of all professional drivers. As an aside I must admit that the only accident that we have had whilst caravanning, was caused by an English driver in France-he cut in too early and forced us off the road and didnt even have the decency to stop. The first people to stop and help were an English trucker and a french family in a caravan both stayed until we were recovered. So as we said earlier theres good and bad in both camps, and that unfortunatley is life..
just want to add my bit my hubby and myself are both hgv1 drivers and i would hazard a guess that quite a few of the hgv rta have been caused by car drivers who havent a clue how a hgv works under the impression like someone said to me "you have more wheels more brakes so you can stop faster"!!!! and how many car drivers get so close to the back of a hgv if you cant see there mirrors they cant see you
As said before I really do think that an hgv awareness lesson should be given after people pass their car test-nothing fancy just an hour on an old airfield or something. Let people have a go behind the wheel of a rigid and an artic to see what is involved in controlling and handling safely these monsters-maybe then we could have a bit of respect for both sides.
Haven't read all the thread but get the general gist!! There's a sensible, safe and courteous driving method to be employed by all, whatever type of vehicle you are driving.
I've experienced idiotic driving from all manner of vehicles and one of the most frustrating for me is when lorries are driving side by side in lanes 1 and 2 on the motorway, neither driver will yield and neither have the power to overtake the other.
Come on HGV drivers, what the hell is this all about then?
We experienced this travelling South at 5:30 on Saturday morning with the caravan on the back. Two HGV's travelling at the same speed, taking up two lanes of the M1 for 10 miles, the weather was attrocious and these two boffoons thought it was fair play to force those that can to use the fast lane, and those that can't who wanted to get out of their way to stay put.
In the HGV drivers defence, it was a waste wagon that was sat in lane 2, which I've seen many times before.
We're not all perfect but I like to think that I'd never go out of my way to either stop or slow down the progress of other road users, and will always slow down to either avoid a potential situation or allow a faster vehicle to pass me safely.
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Topic: H.G.V.s
that was officer lol. Must admit i found most very helpful.......
